So, I have a dog…did you know that? (insert sarcasm…) I have a dog that I am pretty much obsessed with. I have wanted a French Bulldog for ten years and in 2014 I finally got one. The time was right and I picked Lucy Leigh up from the airport on April 1st at a young eight weeks old.

Over the past eight months I have become quite the hermit. I stay in and snuggle with my pups, watch Netflix as well as study. I enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in June 2014 so I have been immersed in taking advantage of the additional education. I LOVE learning!

This past year was all about retreating, observing and laying low. While I did this I put on some love pounds. I label them love pounds because I LOVE my dog that I wanted to be next her every moment through her puppy months rather then going out. Pre-LuBear, I was on the go go go and out out out all the time. My home was more or less a place to crash, shower and change.

When I moved into my new space in March of last year I nested…hard. I did some killer DIY projects and made my home feel like a real home. So much so that I never wanted to leave. Ever.

Fast forward to present day. I have cabin fever, I am O.V.E.R being at home all the time, but here in lies my dilemma. My social life is twenty-five miles away from where I live. Bull shit, right? So, what to do? MOVE! The Lu & I will be moving up to the LA streets and will be hitting the pavement hard.

I cannot wait to bike to yoga, walk to new dog parks, have happy hour any damn day I want, get a green juice with a friend any day of the week and not feel restricted by the damn 405. Beacuse that thing is a nasty bitch.

So…why talk about the love pounds? Well, they can feel shitty. Let’s be real, no ones wants to struggle to put on their favorite pair of jeans. It is downright flustering. In the past few months I have endured a couple meltdowns because that last button just did not take. Ughhhh.

In my 31 years I have yet to feel this and to be honest, with only being three plus years into my recovery of my eating disorder, that black hole was calling my name to come crawling back to the dark side. BUT I did not, I have not, I will not. I am stronger than this moment. My worth is more than those fucking jeans. My new life with Lucy is priceless.

This is more motivation for me to be transparent with the world as a wellness coach, fitness leader and real person to tell the story that these things happen and they do not have to control our thoughts, attitude and self-esteem. I know it is hard. Believe you me. I know. But, this is where life gets good. This is where we are challenged to find the message in what we do and who we are and rise above it all.

My purpose on this earth is to inspire others, elevate our community, and de-mystify the phenomena of wellness. I work in a tough industry where every pound, inch and wrinkle are judged, so this my friends is a wake up call. We are more than our love pounds. We are incredible humans with infinite potential. The story goes on and you have the power to change the plot. I plan to change it in more ways the one…